Disability Not A Disadvantage in the Workplace

Hiring the best person for the job means evaluating candidates based on skill, attitude and potential—not assumptions. Yet, unconscious bias often leads to people with disability being overlooked in the recruitment process. That’s not just unfair—it’s bad for business.

With around one in five Australians living with disability (ABS, 2023), inclusive hiring isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart way to tap into a skilled, committed, and often underutilised workforce.

The Business Case for Hiring People with Disability

People with disability bring diverse experiences and problem-solving skills that can help businesses become more innovative and customer-focused. According to the Australian Network on Disability (AND), inclusive workplaces often enjoy stronger team morale, better customer service, and a more resilient organisational culture.

Benefits to Employers Include:

• Stronger team performance – Inclusion improves morale and collaboration.
• Higher retention rates – Employees with disability have been shown to stay longer in their roles.
• Lower absenteeism – Many studies show that workers with disability take fewer sick days.
• Cost savings – Safe Work Australia has reported that people with disability are less likely to incur workplace injuries, reducing compensation costs.
• CSR and brand impact – Demonstrating a commitment to diversity boosts a company’s reputation and customer trust.

Rachel Butler from AND explains: “Organisations that understand disability can better meet the needs of their diverse customers. If your business isn’t accessible, you’re turning away a significant segment of the market.”

Success Stories: What Inclusive Hiring Looks Like

At Safeway in Rosebud West, Victoria, the hiring of a team member with disability transformed workplace culture for the better. “It gave the whole team a lift,” says assistant store manager Simone Blake. “It helped us connect with our community and strengthened our store culture.”

Similarly, when South Australia’s Holden Hill Police Station faced challenges filling a repetitive transcript-typing role, they adapted the position to accommodate Sonja Veitinger, who is vision impaired. With support from Disability Employment Services, they installed screen-reading software and made minor adjustments to the role, resulting in long-term retention and a boost in productivity.

“By being creative with the role, we got retention, filled a skill gap, and became more cost-effective,” said administration manager Doris Andrew.

It’s Easier—and More Affordable—Than You Think

One of the most common misconceptions is that hiring people with disability is expensive. In reality, most adjustments are simple and inexpensive:

• Many accommodations cost less than $500
• Some roles require no adjustments at all
• Government funding and support are available to assist with any modifications

Job “carving” or “splitting” is another effective strategy. This involves reassigning specific tasks from one role to another to create a new opportunity for a person with disability, often boosting team efficiency in the process.

How to Recruit Inclusively

There’s no shortage of support for businesses ready to hire inclusively. In fact, there are multiple organisations that can help connect you with qualified candidates and offer ongoing support to both employers and employees.

Key Organisations:

• JobAccess – The Australian Government’s one-stop resource for disability employment support, funding, and workplace adjustment advice.
• Australian Network on Disability (AND) – Works with employers to build disability confidence and inclusive recruitment strategies.
• Disability Employment Services (DES) – Federal program providing employment support for people with disability and tailored assistance to employers.

These organisations can help you identify roles suitable for job carving, offer training to your team, and ensure you have the tools to create an accessible, inclusive workplace from day one.

Hiring Inclusively Supports Everyone’s Future

Employing people with disability isn’t just a social good—it’s a business advantage. It builds stronger teams, expands your talent pool, and sends a message to your customers that your organisation values equity and inclusivity.

Want to build a more inclusive workforce or explore how to upskill for accessible and equitable roles in community services, mental health, or inclusive business practices? We’ve got a range of flexible online courses to help you get started.